The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-04-23
BARBER'S RIDE.
"Reminiscences Of Early Days
I'm Boise Basin.
Baker City Democrat, April 6.

that the Auburn mines were dis
covered in what is now Baker coun-
ty. Their reputed richness soon
brought thousands of adventures
from all parts of this coast to the
new diggings. Later in the fall
and early the following summer,
also witnessed the arrival of thous-
ands of refugees from Kansas, Mis-
souri, and other border states, who
had fled from the ravages of civil
war which was then affecting the
country. Auburn became. a town
of great Importance as a city Of
refuge for those people. There they
could obtain fresh supplies of pro-
visions and secure work, if it was
only to prospect for themselves.
But the mines proved not to be ex-
tensive, and traders were often
compelled to sell their goods and
provisions on credit, if they sold at
all, and trust to the miners luck
for their pay. The merchants who
did the most extensive credit busi-
ness were Moore a. Norcross, who
had in their employ a young clerk,
now of Junction, Lane county,
w. II. Barber. He was active, en-
ergetic and of great service to the
firm as a clerk, salesman and col
lector.
In the fall of 1862, the Boise Ba-
sin mines were discovered. The
story Of their extent and richness
caused general stampede of min
ers from the Auburn camp to the
new Eldorado. By midwinter the
former resembled Goldsmith's de-
serted village. 1t was simply a
congregation Of tenantless cabins.
Merchants who had refused to sell
on credit and had saved their goods
packed up and followed the miners.
But Moore e. Norcross had but a
light remainder to remove. Indeed
they were about bankrupt unless
they could collect what was due
them from their absent debtors. At
length their young clerk proposed
that if they would authorize him to
do so he would make out all the
bills due, go to the Boise mines
and collect what he could. The
proposition was accepted by his
employers, and in a few days he
was mounted on a spirited cayuse
and on his proposed journey. In
tn e meantime the new mines had
been extended in area, by repeated
discoveries, until the whole basin
was teeming with men either at
work or searching for diggings.
For many miles along Granite
creek, Grimes creek, More creek
and other smaller streams, men
were at work taking out millions
of wealth. Barber began systemat-
ically to search for. his men. One
by one he found them and in all
but few instances he found them
prepared to settle. So persistent
and fortunate was he that within q
few weeks he had collected about
10000, being almost the entire
sum due his employers. AS he
made collections he deposited his
goldin safe hands at Placerville and
Bannock, now Idaho City. Al
length he concluded to remit his
collections and return to Portland
whittier Moore e. Norcross had re
moved with their families to remain
temporarily. He therefore visited
Wells, Fargo & Co.'S office, ther
Just established, to negotiate fol
the transmission of treasure tC
Portland. Owing to'the risk to b,
taken the company demanded ter
per cent to be responsible for it,
conveyance. The young man de
clined to pay SO much, and Offered
to give what he deemed a reasona
BILE reward for the service required
The company refused his offer. HI
said nothing, but Immediately be
gan making arrangements to taxi
the chances of bringing his preciou
charge through himself. 1t was
hazardous undertaking. The roaC
swarmed with road agents, and rob
berries were frequent. They campe'
on every stream between Placervill
and the Dalles. There was the no
torious Enoch Fruit, Sacrament,
Bill, Bill Mayfeld, Cherokee Bol
and their followers, who were know
to watch the road from Weiser rive
to the crossing of Snake river a
Fort Boise.
Mayfield was never road agent
Whatever may have been his fault
this charge cannot be made agains
him. Bob Talbert, alias "Cheroke
Bob" was never on the Weiser rive
or in Boise Basin. He was shot a
} Florence on January 2, 1868, an
died on the 5th.-ED. KEYSTONE
Notwithstanding this, Barber pre-
J ceeded to purchase a good mul
and packsaddle on which he packe
his gold safely placed in buckski
sacks, which he put into old greas
gunny bags. Then securing a scan
supply of -four and bacon, fryin
, pan and coffeepot, pair of secone
/ hand blankets, all of which h